Ventilation systems

All multicellular organisms have mechanisms for drawing oxygen-rich air (or water) into their bodies and removing carbon dioxide-rich air (or water).

A closer look at insect breathing systems makes it easier to appreciate the functions of the more familiar human ventilation system. A detailed study of human ventilation involves the use of a spirometer.

Experiments

Modelling the human ventilation system
Make a simple model of the ventilation system. Investigate the effect of using tubes of different diameters to model the effect of bronchoconstriction in asthma.

Dissecting lungs
Study the external features of mammalian lungs, then dissect the air pipes and spongy tissue to discover their structure and properties.